A speeding drug-driver went through a red light and crossed to the wrong side of the road, killing a father and his two-year-old son.

James Gibson had been taking cannabis and also had alcohol in his system when he crashed into the side of a car being driven by John Woodcock – who was with his two-year-old son Lewis – on Chesterfield Road North in Pleasley, Nottinghamshire, on 15 January last year.

The 31-year-old was jailed at Nottingham Crown Court on Monday after pleading guilty to two counts of causing death by dangerous driving.

He was also banned from the road for 18 years.

The court heard another car behind Mr Woodcock’s was also hit, leaving three people with minor injuries.

Nottinghamshire Police said Gibson had “travelled through a red light, undertaken vehicles and consistently exceeded the 30mph speed limit, reaching speeds of up to 82mph”.

It said his Audi had been recorded at 82mph, 75mph and 52mph at three separate locations before the crash.

Gibson had to be cut out of his vehicle and later claimed he had no memory of the crash.

Read more:
Met Police refers itself to watchdog after woman wrongly held over fare evasion
Paedophile who posed as model scout admits sex offences against children

After the hearing, the wife of 44-year-old Mr Woodcock thanked emergency services who tried to help her family.

“I know we didn’t get the outcome we had hoped for, but I know all these people tried their very best to help my boys,” said Caroline Woodcock.

“The two amazing ambulance staff who were there for me whilst we waited, I will never forget you and everything you did for me.

Be the first to get Breaking News

Install the Sky News app for free

“Now we have finally had the sentencing and this part is over, finally my boys can rest at peace and I and the family can try to build some sort of life where we try to come to terms with this horrific loss.”

Related posts:

UK records hottest day of the year and it could get sunnier – despite thunderstorm threat Henley Regatta lets women wear trousers for the first time in its 182-year history Will Emma Raducanu be able to stay at the top in tennis for years to come? Teenager arrested after 86-year-old army veteran dies following ‘assault’ More sanctions revealed – as Britons advised against all travel to Russia ‘Arms race of fantasy economics’ – Keir Starmer set to take aim at Tory leader hopefuls Tory MP ‘wearing mini-skirt and high heels’ in road crash, court told Government borrowing leaps and retail sales drop by much more than expected Beware of ‘dud deals’: Black Friday red flags to watch out for Ukraine calls Wimbledon’s decision to lift Russian and Belarusian players’ ban ‘immoral’ Police appeal after sheep shot with arrow Ministers weigh contingency plan for collapse of Thames Water